What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of your womb. It may appear on other reproductive organs, such as your Fallopian tubes or ovaries, or in areas such as your rectum, on the outer walls of the uterus, or cervix.
What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?
Endometriosis can cause painful, heavy periods and spotting between cycles. Other symptoms include:
- Pain during intercourse
- Infertility
- Intestinal pain
- Pain in the pelvis and back
If you have any of these symptoms, contact the team at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida as they can help diagnose and treat the endometriosis.
Why Does Endometriosis Cause Problems?
The endometrial growths are not cancerous, but they do present a problem. This tissue still acts like tissue that’s inside your uterus, so it bleeds and sheds every month. This makes your periods heavier and can cause swelling and pain because the tissue can get trapped in your body. The result is inflammation, blockage of your ovaries or Fallopian tubes, scar tissue and adhesions that bind organs together, and problems in your digestive tract and bladder.
How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?
The symptoms of endometriosis are similar to symptoms caused by other pelvic issues, so diagnosis is tricky. The excess endometrial tissue doesn’t readily show up on ultrasounds and is rarely detectable during a routine pelvic exam. The only certain way to diagnose endometriosis is through laparoscopic surgery. This allows the doctor from Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida see the tissue or take biopsies to confirm it as endometriosis.
How is Endometriosis Treated?
If you aren’t trying to get pregnant, hormone-based birth control pills can help control the growth of endometrial tissue and alleviate your symptoms.
If you are trying to get pregnant, you might be prescribed a gonadotropin-releasing hormone that temporarily halts your menstrual cycle to control the growth of endometriosis. The hormone may be administered by injection or in a new oral pill option. When you go off the medication, it may be easier to get pregnant.
Surgery is also an option in severe cases. Talk to the team at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida to determine the best course of treatment for you.
If you’re concerned about endometriosis, call Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, or book an appointment online today.
